One True Knight (The Knights of Honor Trilogy) (27 page)

Everyone in the room turned to look at Jonathan, a varying degree of puzzlement reflecting on their faces as he accepted the sword. He looked down at his hand as if it belonged to someone else. Raising the small wooden toy sword, he twisted it around and saw the unmistakable J burned into the hilt. And tied around the wooden toy was the distinctive strip of red fabric…

He clenched the toy sword in his hand. Whoever held Rowena captive knew quite a lot about his history.

“You keep us in suspense, sire. What do you know of this toy?” Philip said impatience clearly evident in his voice.

Jonathan snapped his head up at the sound of Philip’s voice. “This toy sword belonged to me. It was given to me as a gift from my mother,” he said. His large hand engulfed it but the weight and feel of the wooden sword was as familiar as the day he first got it. He looked at Philip, his expression hard. “Raulf, my father’s ward, was the last person to see it before it disappeared many years ago. And this cloth — ‘tis a piece torn from my father’s standard, one which the Grey Knight sends me whenever he wishes to taunt me.”

“Your former garrison commander
and
the Grey Knight?” Lorena gasped. “Do you think they are working in conjunction with one another?”

“This I don’t know,” Jonathan said grimly. “Although I intend to find out.”

Lorena hugged her arms as if she felt a sudden chill. “Will they harm her?”

“If we move quickly, they will not get a chance to harm her.”

“Where do you think they have taken Rowena?” Philip asked.

“Blackburn castle,” Jonathan said without hesitation. There were a handful of armsmen left behind to guard the castle. The number was adequate, but it was still vulnerable for attack. Most castles kept a skeleton crew during peaceful times, and Raulf knew this. He was also familiar with Blackburn and was well aware of its vulnerabilities. And the Grey Knight…that knight seemed to know his every move, his every weakness. And even though Jonathan tried to hide it — even deny it, his adversary somehow found out about his new weakness — Rowena.

Philip rubbed between his eyes as if the act would take away the burden thrust upon him. “Do they mean to hold her for ransom?” he asked tiredly. “If ‘tis the money they want, I will pay whatever price they name.”

“I am uncertain if that is their sole motive, sire,” Jonathan said. “Raulf led a band of outlaws to steal from me, and I banished him from Blackburn. He has a personal vendetta against me. As for the Grey Knight, our history is old and ‘tis a fact that he has done great harm to the people I care about.”

Philip dropped his hands from his face and fixed his gaze upon Jonathan. “What if they kill her?”

“That will not happen,” Jonathan said in a steely voice. He clenched his fists at his side.

Jonathan took his commander aside and directed him to mobilize his men.

“Damn those whoresons!” Philip burst out in frustration as he watched the guards begin to assemble. He tried to get up again and sat back down in disgust. “I wanted everything to return to normal, but now I must go and search for my daughter and her captors!”

“Are you in any condition to go after her, my lord?” Lorena asked in alarm. “You have just injured yourself. Let my cousin lead the search. I have ever faith that he will bring her back unharmed.”

A look of pain crossed Philip’s face. He was torn as to what to do. He put his hands on the table and pushed himself up again, this time ignoring the pain shooting up his leg and hip.

“I will not turn down your cousin’s offer to help. However I will need to go after her myself.”

Philip sensed Lorena watching him but he didn’t return to look at her, knowing full well that she could sway him. “I will join Sir Jonathan in the search,” he said, his voice full of determination. “And together we shall bring Rowena back.”

“I’m coming with you,” Derrik said, his lips set in grim resolve. His tone increased as if the volume and anger in his voice somehow lent him strength and courage. “I want those bastards who trounced me.” His eyes glittered. “I want them to pay. And if they touch Lady Rowena, I want them dead.”

“You will have to wait in line,” Jonathan said. He made a move to leave but then stopped when he saw a boy making his way across the hall.

Philip also caught sight of the youth.

The boy, wearing the unmistakable colors of Airndale, looked as if he rode long and hard, and was ready to collapse. Yet still he pushed on and stumbled toward Philip, exhaustion etched on his young face.

Standing in front of Philip, he seemed oblivious to all the people around him.

“My lord,” he said, his breathing uneven. “We — Airndale is under attack!”

Philip exchanged alarmed glances with Lorena.

Blindly, Lorena reached over and gripped Philip’s hand. “Are the people safe?” she asked, unable to keep the fear from creeping into her voice.

The boy nodded. “The people are all safe in the confines of the castle, my lady,” he said in a rush. “But Sir Robert de Clait is attacking our stronghold, and we see no other way to defend against him,” he took a deep breath and continued, “Sir Robert has a large number of men and is causing damage to the fortress as we speak. Several of our men have already perished and we don’t know how much longer we can hold out!”

“How did you manage to escape from Airndale?” Jared asked the squire. The turn of events were now throwing everything into confusion.

“‘Twas the guards that helped me. A number of them began attacking the enemy to create a distraction, and I was able to ride out of the castle undetected. I don’t know how many men died in the skirmish.”

Lorena pressed a hand to her mouth to muffle her cry of distress. Philip squeezed her other hand in reassurance. “How many men?” he asked, his tone brisk.

“At last count, two hundred men, sire.”

“Two hundred men?” Lorena’s face went pale. “Airndale is a small estate, and is ill equipped to survive a siege,” she said. “I do not understand. Why would Sir Robert attack us now, knowing that we are at peace, and Airndale is under your protection?”

“‘Tis not hard to understand. Airndale borders Cornwall, which is known for their precious metals,” Philip explained. “If Robert controls Airndale, he would no doubt expand to Cornwall and take control of the nearby mines. With that, his wealth would increase, and he will become a very powerful and dangerous threat to Ravenhearth.”

“But he risks war and the loss of many of his men, not to mention the lives of innocents,” Lorena said.

“Robert is a fool,” Philip said flatly. “King Edward will be angered when he hears of this attack on Airndale. And when he sends his allies to assist us, Robert’s attempt for expansion and power will be squashed.”

Philip raked his fingers through his silver streaked hair. He had hoped that King Edward’s blessing, and his claim on Airndale was be enough to deter Robert. Yet he made a foolish mistake and sat on his laurels with no back up plans in place to prevent a surprise attack.

Turning to Jared, “Send word to all my vassals,” he said. “Gather all available men. We ride to Airndale immediately.”

“But what of Lady Rowena?” Derrik asked.

Philip let out a sharp hiss. Raising his hands, he began to rub his throbbing temples. Rowena. In the ensuing confusion, he had forgotten about her. “This is madness,” he said. “We have Robert attacking Airndale, and we have Rowena abducted by unknown criminals…”

He couldn’t sit idly by and let Robert take his land without a fight. Nor could he leave Rowena to the mercy of her captors. Philip let out an explosive curse, and slammed his fist onto the trestle table.

“By God, I cannot be at two places at once!” he shouted.

“You won’t have to,” Jonathan interrupted calmly. “You will need all your men to defend Airndale. I will take my men, and go after Lady Rowena myself.”

“You’re right,” Philip said, relief evident in his voice. “I
will
need every spare man at Airndale. But how many men do you have? Will they be enough?”

“I have seven who I trust with my life,” Jonathan said. “That ‘tis all I need. My knights are highly skilled and already know how I fight. If I can keep the number small, we may have a chance to surprise Raulf with an attack. Too many men will be a hindrance to Lady Rowena’s rescue.” Jonathan paused, seeing Philip’s face twisted in conflict and sensing at once his dilemma. “However if it makes you feel better, I will take one of your most trusted knights with me. The rest of your men can assist you in freeing Airndale.”

Philip nodded. “I need my entire garrison at Airndale but one man I can spare.”

“I will be this man,” Derrik said, stepping forward. “I offered to go before we learned about the attack on Airndale and my offer still stands.” His face was a swollen mess, but pure determination glittered from his eyes. “I will not be denied.”

Philip let out a long breath as if a burden lifted from his shoulders. “So be it,” he said to Derrik. He moved to get up. “Let us mobilize the garrison.”

Lorena put her hand on his arm, stopping him. “Please reconsider your actions, my lord,” she said in a low voice. “Need I remind you again that you may not be in the best condition to go yourself?” She looked pointedly at his injured side. “Jonathan will bring back Lady Rowena. But let Sir Jared command the garrison and free Airndale.”

He removed Lorena’s hand from his arm, and brought it to his lips. “I know Rowena will be returned, but I must do my duty,” he replied in a soft voice. God knew his presence was needed to free Airndale, and lead his men into victory.

Lorena watched him, her eyes shining with unshed tears. And ever so slightly, she gave a nod showing that she understood. It was amazing that even though they were married for a short while, Lorena understood him so well. Her eyes moved from Philip to Jonathan. “Then Godspeed to you both,” she whispered.

CHAPTER 27

When Rowena awoke, she realized that a burlap sack covered her body and a dirty rag was stuffed in her mouth. She could smell the dampness that clung to the area that surrounded her, could feel the cold stone floor beneath her. She knew in her heart that this wasn’t Ravenhearth.

Off to the right she heard two men arguing. She closed her eyes, trying hard to concentrate on what they were saying. Unfortunately she felt an awful throbbing at the side of her head, and any words reaching her ears were incomprehensible.

She went to lift a hand to feel for any lumps on her head when her hand was stayed. With a sense of dread, she discovered the coarse rope that tied her hands and ankles together. Her captors made sure that there was no opportunity for her to escape.

Wriggling her fingers, she tested it. She then yanked at the rope, trying to wrench her hands apart in hopes that it would slacken. However it barely gave way.

Her spirits lifted when she remembered the dagger that was still attached to her belt. If only she could get at it perhaps she could free herself. With renewed hope, she tugged hard at the rope, allowing it to cut at her flesh. She ignored the pain and continued to pull at the rope, wanting desperately to grasp the cold comfort of her dagger.

How long was she unconscious? Was it morning or night? It was hard to say. She strained her eyes to see through the tiny openings in the sack but she couldn’t make anything out.

When she heard the voices again, she stilled her movements, remembering almost too late that she was not alone.

“You fool,” a man said, his tone harsh. “She hasn’t moved since I arrived an hour ago. I didn’t pay for a dead woman.” The nasal voice sounded familiar somehow but she couldn’t quite place it.

A thick silence followed, and even through the coarse sack, she could feel the heat of their eyes resting on her.

“She’s not dead,” the other man replied in a raspy tone. Eban! Rowena closed her eyes, wishing that she could block out his voice. She was sure it was him. “We got her here for you, didn’t we? We also did what you asked with that young knight. Now you need to pay us our due.”

The man who had spoken first made a sound of disgust. A few seconds later, Rowena heard the rustling of coins. “I’ll give you half the amount that we agreed upon.”

“Nay, we did everything that you asked,” Eban protested. “We want the full payment.”

Rowena felt the bile rising up to her throat. Her captors lured her to the stables, and she fell so easily into their trap. Now that they had her, she could only assume that her capture was about money. Even though her father didn’t care for her any longer, she knew he would pay the ransom.

She yanked once more at the rope, and felt a rush of relief when it gave way slightly.

A movement sounded on the other side of the room. “She moved!” a third voice cut in, which could only be Eban’s companion. “I just saw her move. Dead people don’t move far as I know.”

Rowena froze, afraid to even breathe. What were they going to do with her now?

“I’ll have to see for myself. Here,” the nasal voice said. Rowena heard the clink of coins being tossed to the stone floor. “Now get out of my sight.”

“There are two coins here, sire,” Eban complained in his rough voice. “The deal was five.”

“You’re lucky to get any coins much less escape with your life,” the other man said. “Leave now before I change my mind and kill you both.”

There was the shuffling of feet and more curses as a heavy door slammed shut. Then silence.

Rowena sensed a presence in the room with her even though all she could hear was her own shallow breathing. It was next to impossible to relax when she knew her captor was out there waiting, ready to pounce on her.

After what seemed like hours she heard the sound of heavy footfall approaching. She wrinkled her nose as she caught a waft of old sweat. The movement stopped near her head.

There was a soft rustling noise, as if the man was kneeling beside her. She stiffened her body, bracing herself for a blow that she knew would come.

But the blow never came. Instead the man untied the sack and removed the gag from Rowena’s mouth. The sudden brightness of the room caused her eyes to close. And when she opened them again, she could only stare in confusion. She anticipated some dangerous outlaw, someone who was scary and unfamiliar, the worst member of the infamous Folmort gang. The last person she expected to find was Raulf looking back at her with a grin on his face.